I’m working on a few radiator covers and toppers for a client and they want me to match this accent wall in their house. All the covers and toppers will be made with maple. I’ve been using Arm R Seal for previous covers with great results, but it doesn’t get dark enough to match the color they want.
Maple is a pain to stain, so I was hoping to use a darker danish oil to set the color and then finish with Arm R Seal to protect from heat.
Any thoughts on this process or other recommendations to darken the finish to match these walls?
Thanks!
Steve
Replies
I have not used Arm R Seal but spar varnishes used in boat finishes will give you plenty of amber to match the above photo. Interlux Schooner or Petit or epiphanes varnishes are good choices however they are softer finishes than urethanes.
Thanks Gulfstar!
Do you think a spar varnish would be safe on wood near or touching a radiator?
Supposing the radiators are fed by hot water they will never get hot enough to cause a fire with any varnish. They will however cycle the wood temperature and humidity unevenly from one surface to the other so a good protection on both sides is going to help. Spar varnishes are also softer so they better adapt to wood movement without peeling, a boat hatch under direct sunlight will get hotter than the radiator covers. Maple is hard and compact, make sure you thin down the first few coats for maximum adhesion.
Thanks so much!
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